Wifi issues on acer aspire 3 A314-23P the WiFi option isn't even appearing in the settings.

ktc_01

I recently got given an Acer Aspire 3 (A314-23P) to set up for a student. I put a fresh OS on it (Windows 11 Enterprise), it was previously Windows Home and it will just not detect any WiFi connections

I have checked the drivers and it has the most recent ones on there, I have tried windows updates and I have even manually tried adding the correct WiFi driver but to no avail. the WiFi option isn't even appearing in the settings

I have tried so many things over the past two days

Any help is greatly appreciated

[Edited the thread to add model name to the title and add issue detail]

ktc_01

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1229061#Comment_1229061

replacing the wifi card seems to have worked a treat, thank you!

looking into it, mediatek wifi cards seem to be pretty bad

Simonics

Is the wifi adapter disabled? Should be a setting to 'change adapter options'. Is the Wifi card disconnected, or removed from the motherboard? Is the wifi card broken?

Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1228635#Comment_1228635

There are 3 WIFI driver versions available on the Acer Support site for your model, check what WIFI card model you have and if you installed the correct driver.

Simonics

Yes, drivers is a good idea - could also go into device manager - Network Adapters - Right click Wireless adapter - properties - Driver Tab - can uninstall + re install driver.

Also, I've had past experiences when the Acer support site drivers were very different to the backup drivers on my laptop.

ktc_01

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1228663#Comment_1228663

I tried installing the drivers from the acer website, the first time around but to no avail, they did not do anything as I don't think they matched properly

I will have to check the motherboard to see the issue with the Wifi card

Simonics

Yes, I had this issue with Acer website drivers before.

Another way - If go into device manager - Network Adapters - Right click Wireless adapter - [or properties - Driver Tab] - Click 'update driver'

Also Settings - Network - Wifi - Change Adapter options - Right click Wifi - Click 'Enable' if present [Can also click 'Status', and 'Diagnose' to trouble shoot].

ktc_01

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1229015#Comment_1229015

I tried doing that too but it wouldn't even find any wireless adapters but the wifi card is connected and not broken

so i'm at a bit of a loss

Simonics

Did you try Device manager 'Update driver' with ethernet attached, so it can search the web?

ktc_01

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1229018#Comment_1229018

Yes I did. still no luck

Simonics

So check to see the Wifi card model in Sys Info - Components - Network - Adapter [so you know it is connected and recognised].

Simonics

You can take the wifi adapter model and search online for the right driver, but avoid online driver detectors, even on Intel sites, as malware can piggyback.

Simonics

Clear your Temp folders. Conflicts here can affect a lot of things. Good to do it anyway.

So type in search….%TEMP% - CTRL + A [selects all] - Shift + Delete [Bypasses Recycle Bin] - skip anything it wants to keep

Do same for TEMP, and PREFETCH [click 'continue' for PREFETCH access]

Simonics

On an old Acer Aspire I had a wifi 'switch' on a touchbar - Is there a wifi switch, a function key, or physical switch that turns wifi on or off?

Simonics

Is airplane mode on

Simonics

In power options - Change plan - advanced plan - Wifi Adapter settings - check if on max power savings or not

Simonics

Put in another wifi adapter card off another PC and see if it works

Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/691589/wifi-issues-on-acer-aspire-3-a314-23p-the-wifi-option-isnt-even-appearing-in-the-settings

Add a network: right click on the Network (globe) icon far right task bar and navigate to Network & internet>Wi-Fi> Manage known networks:

You can try to search for your router or just click on "Add a new network" give it a name and select a security type like WPA2 Personal AES it will ask for a 6+ digit code, type in any 6 or 7 digits like AA12345 or anything and write that down for reference, or click open that does not have a security code. Click on save and Windows should detect the WIFI router if it is switched on and working (has a load and is registered).

Simonics

Is there any wifi icon at all? If so, try what Puraw says above - if that doesn't help, restart router.

ktc_01

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1229046#Comment_1229046

There is no WiFi icon at all, not even in the settings

It is within a school environment, I have had my manager restarting the Wi-Fi but all other devices pick it up other than the acer laptop

Simonics

Try putting in another wifi card from another PC that fits the slot. It can be an older one if you like, even bgn rather than ac. Then see if that makes a difference to anything.

ktc_01

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1229055#Comment_1229055

Will definitely give it a go, thank you